Comedian Michael Ian Black sparked outrage after mocking the death of former Utah Congresswoman Mia Love, who passed away on Sunday at 49 following a battle with brain cancer. Rather than expressing condolences, Black took to social media to ridicule Love, calling her a “DEI” hire and suggesting that President Donald Trump should “erase her.”
Love made history as the first black woman elected to Congress from Utah, serving as a Republican representative. Despite the solemn occasion, Black saw an opportunity to make a joke at her expense. On the left-wing social media platform BlueSky, he wrote, “Assuming Trump will honor her by erasing her story. It’s surely what this conservative DEI Congresswoman would have wanted.”
The post quickly drew backlash from conservatives and others who viewed it as an unnecessary and callous attack on Love’s legacy. Many pointed out that Love was a trailblazer in the Republican Party and was elected based on merit, not diversity quotas. Black’s remark was widely condemned as an attempt to undermine her accomplishments by reducing her to a diversity hire.
Black has a long history of attacking Trump, Republicans, and their supporters. Even before Trump was sworn in for his second term, Black was among those calling for his impeachment, despite the president not yet taking any official actions. His pattern of inflammatory remarks has led to multiple controversies over the years.
One of Black’s most embarrassing missteps came during his time as a co-captain on CNN’s Have I Got News for You. During a discussion about Trump’s debate against Joe Biden, Black falsely claimed that Trump fabricated a conversation with a Taliban leader named Abdul. Black accused Trump of making up the name based on racial stereotypes.
However, it was soon revealed that Trump had, in fact, spoken with a Taliban leader named Abdul Ghani Baradar. After news outlets confirmed this, Black issued a half-hearted apology on X (formerly Twitter), only to delete it hours later.
Black’s latest remarks about Mia Love’s death add to his history of controversial statements, further fueling criticism that he prioritizes partisan attacks over basic decency. His attempt to reduce Love’s achievements to mere identity politics was widely seen as disrespectful and tone-deaf, particularly in light of her passing.
